Blogs
All eyes will be set on Orlando once again, and this time it won't have anything to do with a high-profile murder case. Good for us! The weekend of February 24-26, Orlando will play host to the 61st annual NBA All-Star Game.
This year, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard will headline the Eastern Conference team while Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who was voted in by the fans as well, will lead the West. Tickets for the showcase event (7 p.m., Feb. 25 at Amway Center) start at a whopping $550, so fans might have a hard time scoring a ticket, unless, of course, you're Teresa Jacobs, a city commissioner or an Orlando Magic season pass holder.
Fret not, basketball fans. A number of All-Star-related events are scheduled throughout the weekend, including the Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Feb. 24, which will be held at center court during the Jam Session. If Justin Beiber winning the title of MVP at last year’s Celebrity Game is any indication of the superstars expected to show up for this year's game, it's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
The kid-friendly All-Star Jam Session, daily Feb. 23-26 at the Orange County Convention Center (North Building), offers a Kids Zone where fans can shoot hoops with friends, collect free autographs from NBA players and school their friends in sports challenges.
For those who can't afford to go to the NBA All-Star Game and don't have the luxury of writing the ticket price off as an “official business” expense, we suggest hitting up the clubs in and around downtown Orlando. Clubgoers can expect to rub shoulders with some big-name stars like comedian Kevin Hart, singer Mary J. Blige and rapper Rick Ross, who will be hosting cocktail parties and club events in different venues during the weekend. Oh, and city officials voted to extend bar hours until 3 a.m. and temporarily suspend signage rules in downtown Orlando during the weekend. Bottle service anyone?
Below, we’ve included details for some of the celebrity hosted parties during Orlando All-Star weekend.
Thursday, Feb. 23
The 5th Annual Dwyane Wade All-Star Carpet Soiree
9 p.m.
Vain Nightclub
22 S. Magnolia Ave.
407-835-3590
$75-$125
Friday, Feb. 24
The Ciroc Museum Presents: Kevin Hart and Eva Marcille
9 p.m.
Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton St.
407-514-2000
$125-$5,000
Friday, Feb. 24
Rick Ross All-Star Bash hosted by Amber Rose
9 p.m.
Roxy Nightclub
740 Bennett Road
407-898-4004
$130-$210
Friday, Feb. 24
Dwight Howard and Floyd Mayweather’s “Best of the Best”
10 p.m.
Vain Nightclub
22 S. Magnolia Ave.
407-835-3590
$120-$170
Friday, Feb. 24
Xpensive Habits hosted by Kevin Durant
10 p.m.
Sheltair Executive Airport Hangar
321 N. Crystal Lake Drive
954-660-9227
$75-$200
Saturday, Feb. 25
Diddy NBA All-Star Party featuring Diddy & Friends
9 p.m.
Cheyenne Saloon
128 W. Church St.
407-839-3000
$100-$150
Saturday, Feb. 25
Undisputed 2012 featuring Lebron, Mayweather, Hart
10 p.m.
The Ballroom at Church Street
225 S. Garland Ave.
407-420-9091
$150-$250
Saturday, Feb. 25
The Big Apple: New York State of Mind with Carmello Anthony and Fobolous hosted by Kevin Cossom
10 p.m.
Vain Nightclub
22 S. Magnolia Ave.
407-835-3590
$75-$150
Sunday, Feb. 26
All-Star Closeout Party hosted by Mary J. Blige and R. Kelly
9:30 p.m.
Majestic
901 N. John Young Parkway
407-300-9124
$125
Sunday, Feb. 26
The Grand Closing Party of All-Star Weekend hosted by Rick Ross
10 p.m.
The Beacham
46 N. Orange Ave.
407-648-8363
$125
For more information and to purchase tickets visit the official Orlando All-Star Weekend website.
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